10 for this week

I am back, and without such a long pause as usual. My last post of 10 things I've been busy with seemed to generate a small yet significant response. So here again:

the 10 things that have kept me busy lately.

01. This guy (B) turned one. He pretty much did "head shoulders knees and toes" with his cake. Hand clapping, hair grabbing, squealing, and giggles were in abundance...and that was just my reaction. We busted a pinata in our new cozy little family room, and afterwards the panic button for the security button did get bumped...and cops did show up. Good to know they respond quickly I guess. Happy Birthday Mr. B.

02. As noted, I have a picture here. It was no small feat. We are still operating under unusual computer circumstances, so I took my overly loaded camera to my parents house to download to a disc there. After successfully crashing both of my dad's computers, I bring you the one photo above. Yeah for small steps.

03. Can I brag? My Christmas Shopping is almost complete. But don't get me wrong. You WILL spot me out and about on Black Friday. Hopefully this year we will not be caught on the news. (sleeping in my clothes, no care for hair or makeup is not a look I care to have broadcast on several channels). The shopping is complete largely due to A's trips to preschool. Then B and I are off packing in the errands until he falls completely comatose in the car seat.

04. I spent a really great weekend taking a time out with the Yoho women. It was perfection wrapped up with good food, inspiration, laughing, some sleeping, and me revealing my fault of occasionally screaming with my mouth closed in my sleep. (try screaming with your mouth closed right now: I dare you). Loved every minute.

05. Planning Christmas outings. A week or two ago I had Bug sit down with me and list out what traditions are pivotal this season. Want to know what made the cut?

riding The Polar Express~Temple Square Lights~watching Elf~~Christmas Street~going to a movie on Christmas Eve~zoo lights~breakfast with Santa

If you have interest in joining with us, let me know.

06. I continue to attend the new ward. I think I must know how to spin a good one, because I think I could start selling tickets to the "unusual" Relief Society lessons going on. Man, oh man. Also in other good ward news, they don't even have our phone number yet. We are trying to ride that one out for as long as possible.

07. However (big downer here) Bug and I couldn't avoid the bishopric counselor who made a bee line through the long narrow chapel, past all the overflow chairs to the very back row (to where you will find us sitting these days) and asked us to speak this upcoming Sunday. Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday to us. Our topic: Doing your Duty. If you talk about it for too long, Bug starts to get the giggles, immaturely relating it to bodily functions. Men.

08. I finished my second piece of commissioned art work this afternoon. B was down for a nap, and A breathed down my neck the entire time asking if she could paint too. (deep sigh) not quite the environment I had envisioned for the long hoped for art studio I would one day revel in, but nonetheless I have produced my first piece of art in my studio. A very happy moment for me.

09. I rearranged all my furniture in my front room. So now there are new nail holes in the recently painted walls. What is wrong with me? I know, I know. A form of OCD for sure. Yet, I must say it looks better, and now I have a natural spot for our Christmas tree (which is NOT up yet...for shame if you thought I was one to bypass the Thanksgiving Holiday).

10. If you're still following along my little list on whats been filling up my calendar spaces lately, then let me brag for this one. Bug has been watching some of my BBC movies with me each night. What is it like to have a husband curl up in bed with you and watch 8 installments of the BBC Masterpiece Classic Version of Emma? Or get as rilled up as I do watching (one of my favs) Wives and Daughters you ask?

bliss.

That's it for this week.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

justification

I realize that its been an entire month since I last posted. I was starting to think maybe of dropping off?

Yet here I am.

Apologies for yet another one without pictures. I hope to post some soon of the new house. For now the top 10 reasons it has taken me a month to get back on here:

1. Read 'The Hunger Games' trilogy. This didn't take me 30 days to read. Instead I did it in more like 5 days, which is slow according to the general public's average of a book a day.

2. House projects. And there's a zillion. I did help Bug cross off 'hang lights in A & B's room' off the list just now. However, instead of diminishing the list seems to be breeding. Naughty thing.

3. B turned ONE this past week. Can't believe it. Seriously. He has kept me busy pulling out electrical cords, flinging himself down our stairs, pulling/crawling/climbing everywhere, laughing at just about everything still, and overall just maintaining his status of "easy baby." Love him.

4. A started preschool. This is something I am absolutely relishing. We had a late start due to the move, but I managed to find somewhere to slip her in. She is having fun, but you better believe that those 2 1/2 hours without her are the busiest for B and I. We knock out errands left and right. Hip hip hooray for running errands with one kid.

5. Made my kids Halloween costumes this year (this is where a picture would be appreciated, I know.) As if nothing else was happening, I decided to make their costumes. A: Little Bo Peep B: a sheep. It was too cute. Too bad the rain interfered with the Sheep making it out to trick-or-treat at night, but don't worry our cute duo made it to the zoo, and to visit grandparents all over the valley.

6. We have really slow internet service here. I think I have pulled out clumps of hair over this alone. Otherwise, you totally would have been kept in the blogging loop more often. I swear.

7. I am trying to put on a happy face about the new ward. The first Sunday in Relief Society included the phrase from the teachers mouth "Asian women are found to be the most titillating" on a lesson on pornography (?) and I found myself wondering if this is what I've been missing in YWs all these years. (p.s. the lesson was intense. If you want the full report I'll be happy to oblige.) I have made it to a playgroup, and will probably return to RS since they have me committed to saying a prayer.

8. A has been in ballet, and had her little recital. In Bug's words: "this is the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life." Also, I realize a picture would be absolutely fitting here as well. Sorry. But it was amazing. And A did great. So proud of her.

9. Creating a routine over here at the new house. A had a rough start at adjusting. My parents (bless their hearts) basically adopted A & B for a week or two during de-wallpapering and moving. When A finally moved back in with us, it was hard on her...making it hard on us all. Thank heavens for the upgrade to a king size bed so she could come crawl in between on scary nights. She does still ask to go to the "other church" on Sundays, but I think we are back to "normal functioning" again.

10. We still own and are working on our old house. Another shout for joy because Bug has finally agreed to hiring out the majority of the work. Seems two houses (and a cabin) to maintain and care for is more than we can chew. Look for our new transition as landlords at the end of the month.

Well? Am I justified? Shoot. We are all busy, aren't we? And now the holiday season is upon us there's not a moment to loose. I have some grand plans for some Christmas presents, some commissioned artwork to get done, and lots of festivities to plan and arrange in the near future.

As my dad always says "No rest for the wicked."

just checking in

yes I am still alive out there in blogland, albeit barely.

And I should be using these minutes to be packing, but instead am resting my tired muscles.
That's right.
I am now knee deep in the process of disassembling our home,
watching it as box by box it turns back into a house
until it doesn't feel like it was ever ours
then hefting each box into the car
down the street a few blocks
and into the "new" house.

Miss A still refers to it as Grandpa & Grandma's house and corrects me when I try to teach her it's ours now. What to do to help her understand? I bet when we make the big final move this weekend she'll soon get it.

Bless our family that spends each night, hour upon hour, readying the house with us.
Bless the friends that have taken A, so I can work like the wind.
Bless my parents for practically adopting the kids every day (and night).
Bless my husband for witnessing some pretty intense meltdowns.

Bless us all, since once we're moved we're far from over. Bug will immediately begin work on reassembling this house (aka putting ceilings and walls back up in the basement, new cement, etc)
And then we'll be off to experience life as landlords.

Wish us luck.
and energy
and emotional stamina
and good health.

We'll need it.

plans this weekend?

As most of you are well aware we are in the middle of juggling two houses right now (more to come on that later. promise.)

With all that craziness keeping me totally crazy, I decided to participate in a boutique. Of course. Why not? But, good news my friends. Due to moving, and my general giving personality, my prices at the boutique are like I am paying you money to buy my little items...or something like that.

Here's the boutique details:

You are cordially invited
Two Sister’s Boutique
Hosted by Stephanie Robbins and
Cynthia Christensen
~
Friday September 24th 3pm - 7pm
&Saturday September 25th 10am - 2pm
Located at
665 E. Garfield Ave. (1875 S.)
~
You’ll discover an assortment of
dazzling finds featuring some local crafters
~

I thought I'd give you all a preview of what I'll have there.

Here are my latest inspiration: bowties for the little guy. (only $5) sure to sass up any church outfit.

Onesies, hairbows, bracelets key chains (these puppies save my life as a mom. no more stirring around in my purse for keys anymore. instead I grab them instantly now) and my favorite and latest invention: the creative kid's boredom buster kit. It is filled with hours of ideas to keep kids busy. This was a blast to put together, and perfect for the rainy/snowy days ahead. Here's the best part: selling them for only $5 a piece. (remember I told you it was like I was paying you?)

I can't decide to include these babies at the boutique: my toadstools. These were incredibly fun to make. Miss A has 3 for the new room waiting to go as soon as she moves in.

Also not pictured here, but will be at the boutique: homemade go-fish game that you little tot will just love.

See you all there!

for my girls

this post is specifically dedicated to "my girls"

last night was my last young women's activity.
it brought good closure, but at times sort of felt like I was attending my own funeral.
It was all about good, kind words for everyone, a few tears, some laughs, delicious raspberry smores, and the wonder of a campfire to mask my red splotchy face. Favorite memories remembered (like scarring the crap out of the girls with the stuffed bobcat, the car dance to backstreet boys, surprise baby shower, all the crafts, camp memories...and bug's favorite memory: seeing that huge troop of boys at youth conference & every yw in our car screaming at the top of her lungs).

l.o.v.e.d. every moment.

wish I could bottle it up. Tuesday nights won't feel quite the same. Thanks girls for being you.

last night I made another shameless plea. remember? (go here to leave your comments) and thank you.

I will still see you around.

Promise.

wish list

should be headed back over again to the new house for de-wallpapering.
fearing that my fingernails will never recover.
but, you see, am blogging because its the ever-important birthday month.
and I delight in making a wish list.
especially one filled with these amazing goodies.

Bug: feel free to purchase one (or all) of the items below:

the sequel to my most favorite recipe book
this movie recommended by anna
any movie my friend amy has (1 2 3 4) did I forget any amy?
one of these to cruise around on but please include a basket
a sassy pair like these
a strand or two of these for the new back patio

please note this is not my complete list.
but don't worry, Bug I will make sure you are kept updated.

xoxo

waterproof

twenty minutes before church,

& Bug finds her like this:

yes, its waterproof mascara.

she said "my eyes are pretty like mom's*" upon being discovered.

(* if I ever appear like this in public: please take it upon yourself to confiscate any & all of my makeup.)

and after a thorough check to make sure she didn't poke her eye out

I had Bug take her picture.

(kind of reminded me of my friend Annie's post a few short days ago.)

And even after a heavy scrub down with my eye makeup remover, an attentive friend still asked if my 3 year old was wearing eyeliner to church.